Section 477-5-1 - Role of the Occupational Therapy AssistantThe occupational therapy assistant:
1. May assist in the practice of occupational therapy only with the supervision of an occupational therapist;2. Shall apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning, including reflection and reassessment, in addressing clients' needs;3. May initiate a treatment intervention program only when the client has been evaluated and intervention treatment has been planned by the occupational therapist, and may discharge the client from a treatment intervention program only in collaboration with or after consultation with the occupational therapist;4. May not perform an evaluation independently, but may contribute to the evaluation process in collaboration or consultation with the occupational therapist;5. May participate in the screening process by collecting data, such as records, by general observation and/or by conducting a general interview, and may communicate in writing or orally the information gathered to the occupational therapist;6. May track the need for reassessment, report changes in status that might warrant reassessment or referral, and administer the reassessment under the supervision of the occupational therapist; and7. Shall immediately discontinue any specific treatment procedure which appears harmful to the client and so notify the supervising occupational therapist.NOTE: The permissible activities of occupational therapists are set forth in 32 MRSA §2272(12) (statutory definition of occupational therapy).